Basketball Net with Net-like Components of Different Colors

ABSTRACT

A basketball net includes a plurality of net-like units arranged in a side-by-side parallel and vertical fashion, each net-like unit including a plurality of top first loops for fastening at a basket rim, a plurality of second loops at a bottom, and a first connecting cord extending from one end of the first loops, and a knot assembly including a plurality of first knots for tying the first connecting cord of one net-like unit and the cord of an adjacent one of the net-like units, and a plurality of second knots for tying the first connecting cord of one net-like unit and the cord thereof. The net-like units are of different colors. In another embodiment, each net-like unit further includes spikes formed at bottom of each second loop. Roots of the adjacent spikes are tied by a third knot.

CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/797,768, filed May 7, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to basketball nets and more particularly to such abasketball net having a plurality of net-like units of different colorsso as to improve shooting percentage and achieve other purposesincluding making a game more interesting.

2. Description of Related Art

Basketball is a very popular sport in the world. Typically, a net isattached a rim. Purposes of a basketball net comprise catching andslowing down the path of a ball so that the ball may fall out in closeproximity to the basket and indicating to the player(s) if the ball wentthrough the rim at all.

A conventional basketball net is made of nylon cord woven or tied into aconical net-like structure. Further, it is conventional for a basketballnet to have a single color (e.g., white). This may be less attractive toplayers. It is known that each of the backboard, the rim, and the netcan increase a certain degree of shooting percentage. It is understoodthat a colorful object can attract people. Hence, the need for acolorful basketball net exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a basketball nethaving a plurality of net-like units of different colors by beingconfigured in a side-by-side parallel and vertical fashion so as toimprove shooting percentage and make a basketball game more interesting.

To achieve the above and other objects, the invention provides abasketball net comprising a first, a second, and a third net-like units(10, 10B, 10C) formed of cord, the first, second, and third net-likeunits (10, 10B, 10C) being arranged in a side-by-side parallel andvertical fashion, each of the first, the second, and third net-likeunits (10, 10B, 10C) including a net-like face (12, 12B, or 12C) havinga plurality of top first loops (14, 14B, 14C) for fastening at a basketrim (50), a first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) extending from oneend of the first loop (14, 14B, or 14C), a second connecting cord (18,18B, or 18C) extending from one end of the net-like face (12, 12B, or12C), and a knot assembly (13) including a plurality of first knots (20)for tying the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and a cord of theadjacent net-like unit (10B, 10C, or 10) together, a plurality of secondknots (30) for tying the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and acord of the net-like face (12, 12B, or 12C) together, and a plurality ofthird knots (40) for tying the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C)and the second connecting cord (18B, 18C, or 18) together, wherein eachfirst knot (20) is formed by passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B,or 17C) through a first inner face of a cord (11, 11B, or 11C) to form afirst bending (21), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C)through a first outer face of the cord (11, 11B, or 11C) and a firstinner face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form afirst intersection (22), passing and turning the first connecting cord(17, 17B, or 17C) upward through a first outer face thereof to form asecond intersection (23), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or17C) through a second outer face thereof and a second outer face of thecord (11, 11B, or 11C) and then turning downward a second inner face ofthe cord (11, 11B, or 11C) to form a second bending (24), passing thefirst connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second inner facethereof and a passage (230) between the first intersection (22) and thesecond intersection (23) by passing a second outer face of the firstconnecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a third intersection (25), anddrawing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C); wherein the secondknot (30) is formed by passing a free end of the first connecting cord(17, 17B, or 17C) through a first outer face thereof to form a firstbending (31), further passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or17C) through a second outer face thereof to form a second bending (32),passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a firstinner face thereof and turning upward a third outer face thereof to forma third bending (33), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or17C) upward through an upper portion of a first inner face of the firstconnecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a first intersection (34) anda fourth bending (35) sequentially, passing the first connecting cord(17, 17B, or 17C) turning downward through a second inner face thereofto form a fifth bending (36), passing the first connecting cord (17,17B, or 17C) downward and through a first outer surface thereof and apath between the third bending (33) and the fourth bending (35) to forma second intersection (37), and drawing the first connecting cord (17,17B, or 17C); and wherein the third knot (40) is formed by passing afree end of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a firstinner face of a lower portion of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or18C) to form a first bending (41), further passing the first connectingcord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first outer face of the secondconnecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) and a first inner face of the firstconnecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a first intersection (42),passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a firstouter face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) turning upwardto form a second intersection (43), further passing the first connectingcord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second outer face of the secondconnecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) to form a second bending (44), passingthe first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second inner faceof the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) and a second inner facethereof, then turning upward and around a second outer face thereof anda third outer face of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) toform a third bending (45), further passing the first connecting cord(17, 17B, or 17C) and turning downward to pass a third inner faces ofboth the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and the secondconnecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) and then passing through the passage(430) between the first intersection (42) and the second intersection(43) to form a third intersection (46), and drawing first connectingcord (17, 17B, or 17C).

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description taken withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment ofbasketball net according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a basket incorporating the net of FIG. 1with backboard and rim shown in phantom;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the net of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plane view illustrating a process of forming a first knotbetween two adjacent transverse loops of adjacent net-like units;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 where a process of forming a secondknot between two adjacent longitudinal loops of the net-like unit isillustrated;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 where a process of forming a thirdknot and a spike between two adjacent bottom loops of the net-like unitis illustrated;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are enlarged views showing the first, second, andthird knotting processes respectively; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment ofbasketball net according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a basketball net 1 in accordance with a firstpreferred embodiment of the invention comprises first, second, and thirdnet-like units 10, 10B, and 10C arranged in a side-by-side parallelfashion as detailed later. These three net-like units are identical butof different colors. Thus, only the first net-like unit 10 will bedescribed in detail below for the sake of brevity.

The first net-like unit 10 is formed from cord 11 and comprises anet-like face 12 and a knot assembly 13. The net-like face 12 comprisesa plurality of upper loops 14 adapted to secure to a rim 50 of a basketby securing thereto. The rim 50 is again secured to a backboard of thebasket as known in the art. The net-like face 12 further comprises aplurality of spikes 15 hung from lower ends thereof.

The knot assembly 13 comprises a plurality of first knots 20, aplurality of second knots 30, and a plurality of spike knots 16 (i.e.,third knots 40) each for tying two branches of two adjacent spikes 15. Afirst connecting cord 17 is extended a predetermined length from one endof the upper loops 14. The connecting cord 17 is adapted to tie thefirst net-like unit 10 and the adjacent second net-like units 10B or thesecond net-like units 10B and the adjacent third net-like units 10C.Also, a second connecting cord 18 is extended a predetermined lengthfrom one end of the cord of the net-like face 12. The second connectingcord 18 has its end formed as the spikes 15.

The first, second, and third net-like units 10, 10B, and 10C are tied ina side-by-side parallel fashion. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, thefirst knot 20 is adapted to tie the first connecting cord 17 and anet-like face 12B of the adjacent second net-like unit 10B. The secondknot 30 is adapted to tie the first connecting cord 17 and the net-likeface 12 of the same net-like unit (e.g., the first net-like unit 10).The third knot 40 is adapted to tie the first connecting cord 17 and asecond connecting cord 18B of the adjacent second net-like unit 10B.

Referring to FIG. 7A in conjunction with FIG. 4, a first knottingprocess is described in detail below. The first connecting cord 17 isabout parallel with the cord 11B of the upper loops 14B of the adjacentnet-like face 12B. A free end of the first connecting cord 17 passes aninner face of the cord 11B to form a first bending 21. Next, the firstconnecting cord 17 passes an outer face of the cord 11B and an innerface of first connecting cord 17 to form a first intersection 22. Next,the first connecting cord 17 passes an outer face thereof to a formsecond intersection 23. The first connecting cord 17 then passes anouter face of the cord 11B and an inner face of the cord 11B to form asecond bending 24. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an innerface thereof and a passage 230 between the first intersection 22 and thesecond intersection 23 by passing an outer face of the first connectingcord 17 to form a third intersection 25. Thereafter, it is possible oftightening the first knot 20 by drawing the first connecting cord 17.The free end of the first connecting cord 17 and the cord 11 of the samenet-like face 12 are tied by the second knot 30 as detailed below.

Referring to FIG. 7B in conjunction with FIG. 5, a second knottingprocess is described in detail below. A free end of the first connectingcord 17 passes an outer face of the cord 12 to form a first bending 31.Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an outer face of the cord 12to form a second bending 32. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passesan inner face of the cord 12 and an outer face of the cord 12 to form athird bending 33. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an innerface of the first connecting cord 17 to form a first intersection 34 anda fourth bending 35 sequentially. Next, the first connecting cord 17passes an inner face of the cord 12 to form a fifth bending 36. Next,the first connecting cord 17 passes an outer surface thereof and a pathbetween the third bending 33 and the fourth bending 35 to form a secondintersection 37. Thereafter, it is possible of tightening the secondknot 30 by drawing the first connecting cord 17. The free end of thefirst connecting cord 17 and the cord 11B of the adjacent net-like face12B are tied by the first knot 20. Next, the third knot 40 formed at thesecond connecting cord 18B of the adjacent net-like face 12B as detailedbelow. In such a manner, a woven fabric structure can be formed.

Referring to FIG. 7C in conjunction with FIG. 6, a third knottingprocess is described in detail below. The first connecting cord 17 isabout parallel with the second connecting cord 18B of the adjacentnet-like face 12B. A free end of the first connecting cord 17 passes aninner face of a lower portion of the second connecting cord 18B to forma first bending 41. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an outerface of the second connecting cord 18B and an inner face of the firstconnecting cord 17 to form a first intersection 42. Next, the firstconnecting cord 17 passes an outer face of the first connecting cord 17to form a second intersection 43. Next, the first connecting cord 17passes an inner face of the second connecting cord 18B and an outer faceof the second connecting cord 18B to form a second bending 44. Next, thefirst connecting cord 17 passes an inner face of the second connectingcord 18B and an inner face thereof, then turning upward an outer facethereof, and an outer face of the second connecting cord 18B to form athird bending 45. Next, the first connecting cord 17 turns down to passboth inner face of the first connecting cord 17 and the secondconnecting cord 18B and then passes through the passage 430 between thefirst intersection 42 and the second intersection 43 to form a thirdintersection 46. Thereafter, it is possible of tightening the third knot40 by drawing first connecting cord 17. The bottom loops 15A are formedat free ends of the first connecting cord 17 (see FIG. 8).

In such a manner, the second net-like unit 10B and the third net-likeunit 10C are tied and the first net-like unit 10 and the third net-likeunit 10C are tied together in a side-by-side parallel and verticalfashion. As a result, a complete basketball net is formed.

In one embodiment, the first, second, and third net-like units 10, 10B,and 10C are of different colors each other. That is, a basketball nethaving the above net-like units has a plurality of colors. Preferably, acentral portion of the net is white and side portions are red and bluerespectively. It is envisaged by the invention that net-like units ofdifferent colors can improve shooting percentage and make a game moreinteresting.

In another embodiment, the total number of the net-like units is notthree. For example, there are at least two net-like units of differentcolors.

Referring to FIG. 8, a basketball net in accordance with a furtherpreferred embodiment of the invention is shown in which the spikes 15are replaced by bottom loops 15A of the net.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could bemade thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

1. A basketball net comprising a first, a second, and a third net-likeunits (10, 10B, 10C) formed of cord, the first, second, and thirdnet-like units (10, 10B, 10C) being arranged in a side-by-side paralleland vertical fashion, each of the second, and third net-like units (10,10B, 10C) including a net-like face (12, 12B, or 12C) having a pluralityof top first loops (14, 14B, 14C) for fastening at a basket rim (50), afirst connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) extending from one end of thefirst loop (14, 14B, or 14C), a second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C)extending from one end of the net-like face (12, 12B, or 12C), and aknot assembly (13) including a plurality of first knots (20) for tyingthe first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and a cord of the adjacentnet-like unit (10B, 10C, or 10) together, a plurality of second knots(30) for tying the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and a cord ofthe net-like face (12, 12B, or 12C) together, and a plurality of thirdknots (40) for tying the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and thesecond connecting cord (18B, 18C, or 18) together, wherein each firstknot (20) is formed by passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or17C) through a first inner face of a cord (11, 11B, or 11C) to form afirst bending (21), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C)through a first outer face of the cord (11, 11B, or 11C) and a firstinner face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form afirst intersection (22), passing and turning the first connecting cord(17, 17B, or 17C) upward through a first outer face thereof to form asecond intersection (23), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or17C) through a second outer face thereof and a second outer face of thecord (11, 11B, or 11C) and then turning downward a second inner face ofthe cord (11, 11B, or 11C) to form a second bending (24), passing thefirst connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second inner facethereof and a passage (230) between the first intersection (22) and thesecond intersection (23) by passing a second outer face of the firstconnecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a third intersection (25), anddrawing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C); wherein the secondknot (30) is formed by passing a free end of the first connecting cord(17, 17B, or 17C) through a first outer face thereof to form a firstbending (31), further passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or17C) through a second outer face thereof to form a second bending (32),passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a firstinner face thereof and turning upward a third outer face thereof to forma third bending (33), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or17C) upward through an upper portion of a first inner face of the firstconnecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a first intersection (34) anda fourth bending (35) sequentially, passing the first connecting cord(17, 17B, or 17C) turning downward through a second inner face thereofto form a fifth bending (36), passing the first connecting cord (17,17B, or 17C) downward and through a first outer surface thereof and apath between the third bending (33) and the fourth bending (35) to forma second intersection (37), and drawing the first connecting cord (17,17B, or 17C); and wherein the third knot (40) is formed by passing afree end of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a firstinner face of a lower portion of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or18C) to form a first bending (41), further passing the first connectingcord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first outer face of the secondconnecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) and a first inner face of the firstconnecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a first intersection (42),passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a firstouter face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) turning upwardto form a second intersection (43), further passing the first connectingcord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second outer face of the secondconnecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) to form a second bending (44), passingthe first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second inner faceof the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) and a second inner facethereof, then turning upward and around a second outer face thereof anda third outer face of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) toform a third bending (45), further passing the first connecting cord(17, 17B, or 17C) and turning downward to pass a third inner faces ofboth the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and the secondconnecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) and then passing through the passage(430) between the first intersection (42) and the second intersection(43) to form a third intersection (46), and drawing first connectingcord (17, 17B, or 17C); whereby a configuration of the basketball net ismade by the side-by-side parallel and vertical fashion of the first,second and third net-like units (10, 10B, 10C).
 2. The basketball net ofclaim 1, wherein a free end of the each second connecting cord (18, 18B,or 18C) is formed as a spikes (15, 15B, 15C).
 3. The basketball net ofclaim 1, wherein the net-like units (10, 10B, 10C) are of differentcolors.
 4. The basketball net of claim 3, wherein the first net-likeunit (10) is blue, the second net-like unit (10B) is white, and thethird net-like unit (10C) is red.
 5. The basketball net of claim 1,further comprising a bottom loop (15A) formed at free ends of the firstconnecting cords (17, 17B, or 17C).
 6. A basketball net comprising afirst and a second net-like units (10, 10B) formed of cord, the firstand second net-like units (10, 10B) being arranged in a side-by-sideparallel and vertical fashion, each of the first and second net-likeunits (10, 10B) having a plurality of top first loops (14, 14B) forfastening at a basket rim (50), a first connecting cord (17 or 17B)extending from one end of the first loops (14 or 14B), a secondconnecting cord (18 or 18B) extending from one end of a net-like face(12 or 12B), and a knot assembly (13) including a plurality of firstknots (20) for tying the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) and a cord ofthe adjacent net-like unit (10 or 10B) together, and a plurality ofsecond knots (30) for tying the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) and acord of the net-like face (12 or 12B) together, and a plurality of thirdknots (40) for tying the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) and thesecond connecting cord (18 or 18B) together, wherein the first knot (20)is formed by passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through afirst inner face of a cord (11 or 11B) to form a first bending (21),passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a first outer faceof the cord (11 or 11B) and a first inner face of the first connectingcord (17 or 17B) to form a first intersection (22), passing and turningthe first connecting cord (17 or 17B) upward through a first outer facethereof to form a second intersection (23), passing the first connectingcord (17 or 17B) through a second outer face thereof and a second outerface of the cord (11 or 11B) and turning downward a second inner face ofthe cord (11 or 11B) to form a second bending (24), passing the firstconnecting cord (17 or 17B) through a second inner face thereof and apassage (230) between the first intersection (22) and the secondintersection (23) by passing a second outer face of the first connectingcord (17 or 17B) to form a third intersection (25), and drawing thefirst connecting cord (17 or 17B); wherein the second knot (30) isformed by passing a free end of the first connecting cord (17 or 17B)through a first outer face thereof to form a first bending (31), furtherpassing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a second outerface thereof to form a second bending (32), passing the first connectingcord (17 or 17B) through a first inner face thereof and turning upward athird outer face thereof to form a third bending (33), passing the firstconnecting cord (17 or 17B) upward through an upper portion of a firstinner face of the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) to form a firstintersection (34) and a fourth bending (35) sequentially, passing thefirst connecting cord (17 or 17B) turning downward through a secondinner face thereof to form a fifth bending (36), passing the firstconnecting cord (17, 17B) downward and through a first outer surfacethereof and a path between the third bending (33) and the fourth bending(35) to form a second intersection (37), and drawing the firstconnecting cord (17 or 17B); and wherein the third knot (40) is formedby passing a free end of the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through afirst inner face of a lower portion of the second connecting cord (18 or18B) to form a first bending (41), further passing the first connectingcord (17 or 17B) through a first outer face of the second connectingcord (18 or 18B) and a first inner face of the first connecting cord (17or 17B) to form a first intersection (42), passing the first connectingcord (17 or 17B) through a first outer face of the first connecting cord(17 or 17B) turning upward to form a second intersection (43), furtherpassing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a second outerface of the second connecting cord (18 or 18B) to form a second bending(44), passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a secondinner face of the second connecting cord (18 or 18B) and a second innerface thereof, turning upward and around a second outer face thereof anda third outer face of the second connecting cord (18 or 18B) to form athird bending (45), further passing the first connecting cord (17 or17B) and turning downward to pass a third inner faces of both the firstconnecting cord (17 or 17B) and the second connecting cord (18 or 18B)and passing through the passage (430) between the first intersection(42) and the second intersection (43) to form a third intersection (46),and drawing first connecting cord (17 or 17B); whereby a configurationof the basketball net is made by the side-by-side parallel and verticalfashion of the first and second net-like units (10, 10B).
 7. Thebasketball net of claim 6, further comprising a bottom loop (15A) formedat free ends of the first connecting cords (17, 17B).
 8. The basketballnet of claim 6, wherein an end of the second connecting cord (18, 18B)is formed as a spikes (15, 15B).
 9. The basketball net of claim 6,wherein the net-like units (10, 10B) are of different colors.